Stopping Distance Reference Table
Every figure below is computed by the same function that powers the stopping-distance calculator — nothing here is typed in by hand. Distances are in metres, at a constant 1.5-second reaction time unless stated otherwise.
Total stopping distance by speed and road condition
| Speed | Reaction | Dry | Wet | Packed snow | Ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 12.5 m | 17.56 m | 21.35 m | 30.2 m | 47.89 m |
| 50 km/h | 20.83 m | 34.88 m | 45.41 m | 69.99 m | 119.15 m |
| 70 km/h | 29.17 m | 56.7 m | 77.34 m | 125.52 m | 221.87 m |
| 90 km/h | 37.5 m | 83.01 m | 117.14 m | 196.78 m | 356.05 m |
| 100 km/h | 41.67 m | 97.85 m | 139.99 m | 238.3 m | 434.94 m |
| 110 km/h | 45.83 m | 113.81 m | 164.8 m | 283.76 m | 521.7 m |
| 130 km/h | 54.17 m | 149.11 m | 220.33 m | 386.48 m | 718.8 m |
“Reaction” is the distance covered before the brakes do anything at all. It is the same in every column, because reaction distance depends on speed and reaction time, not on grip.
The wet penalty gets worse the faster you go
| Speed | Dry total | Wet total | Wet ÷ dry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 17.56 m | 21.35 m | 1.22× |
| 50 km/h | 34.88 m | 45.41 m | 1.3× |
| 70 km/h | 56.7 m | 77.34 m | 1.36× |
| 90 km/h | 83.01 m | 117.14 m | 1.41× |
| 100 km/h | 97.85 m | 139.99 m | 1.43× |
| 110 km/h | 113.81 m | 164.8 m | 1.45× |
| 130 km/h | 149.11 m | 220.33 m | 1.48× |
A wet road multiplies the total by 1.22 at 30 km/h but by 1.48 at 130 km/h. The friction penalty itself is constant — what changes is the mix. At low speed, most of the total is reaction distance, which rain does not affect. At high speed, braking distance dominates, so the friction loss falls on a much larger share of the total.
Reaction time alone, at 100 km/h on a dry road
| Reaction time | Reaction distance | Total stopping distance |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7 s | 19.44 m | 75.63 m |
| 1 s | 27.78 m | 83.96 m |
| 1.5 s | 41.67 m | 97.85 m |
| 2 s | 55.56 m | 111.74 m |
| 2.5 s | 69.44 m | 125.63 m |
Between an alert 0.7-second reaction and a distracted or fatigued 2.5-second one, 50 m of road goes past with the brakes untouched — more than the entire braking distance from 30 km/h on dry asphalt. Nothing about the car changes across those rows. This is the part of stopping distance that belongs entirely to the driver.
Educational estimates using idealised friction coefficients on good tyres and good asphalt. Worn tread, low pressure, cold rubber, polished or contaminated surfaces and a loaded vehicle all stop worse than this. Treat every figure as a floor, not a promise, and leave a generous following distance.